Chic Chevron...

So much has happened with Therapy in the last few weeks!  Not only has my concept of upcycling changed my mindset it has also changed the design and creating process of my business.  Over the past few weeks I've given a glimpse at what I've been working on for Therapy; upcycled clothing.

So far one of my most favorite things has been my Upcycled leather clutch.  They were made from this awesome tobacco colored leather jacket I've had since the 90's.  The worn leather is so cool and it's one of those pieces that you can wear with just about anything.  My sis Val saw how crazy everyone went with the new Therapy pieces, particularly the leather clutches, and decided that she too would donate recycled items to my cause.  Not only did she give me her awesome tobacco colored leather jacket, she also gave me a bag full of awesome clothing items to be upcycled.  I was so grateful to her that I decided to show my thanks by making her a bag.  A few weeks ago Val suggested I do some bags in a chevron print.  I picked a few out and let her decide which she preferred.  She decided on a black and white chevron print that was just darling.  Here is a little peak at sis's purse and a glimpse of bags to come...

Sneak Peak at 1:1 Upcycled Fashion

Here is a little sneak peak at my new Therapy venture: 1:1 Upcycled Fashion.  Each piece is made from a recycled item of clothing.  Old becoming new!  Most pieces are still in progress.  But, I so wanted to talk about it and show what I've been working on!  So excited!

Turquoise collar was a crochet shirt.  Bottom band of skirt is black eyelet- a former skirt.

 Bib was formerly a crochet shirt

 This dress is so comfy and has pockets!

 Turquoise knit dress with tribal print bib.  Bib was formerly a silk shirt.

 All bibs are attached to dress and tie in back.

Back ties for extra support.

 This will be beading on bib.

Be looking for more 1:1 Therapy items at my etsy shop!

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me....

So far 34 is awesome.  What a wonderful age.  What a wonderful time in my life.

By this point in my life I've:

made all my major mistakes (hopefully), learned from them, married the love of my life, have three amazing children, come to peace with the things that bothered me for so long, learned to accept things that will never change, have a close relationship with my parents, rekindled a relationship with my father, I'm close to my sister who is also my best friend, I've taught myself to sew and have made a business out of it, my sewing and upcycling skills are getting better, I had the daughter my grandmother always wanted me to have and named her after my grandmother, and I've learned to forgive myself.

Tomorrow is a big day.  I am meeting with a local boutique to talk to them about joining Lubbock's First Friday Art Trail.  I am so nervous and excited I can't even stand it.  I have been working almost non-stop for the last 3 weeks.  I've been concentrating on upcycling and have made so many amazing pieces.  I cannot wait to blog about them.  Only problem is, I've been working so much that I've had no time to take pics!  A little synopsis of my work:  the Micaela dress.  In honor of my grandmother and daughter I've named this new dress collection after them.  It is a floor length stretch knit dress with upcycled materials.  These will be my summer staples.  Also, I've revamped some former pants into chic little tops, and given a few skirts some new life!

Pretty much the only break I've taken from work was for my birthday today.  The day was wonderful.  It started with hugs and kisses from my hubby and oldest son, spent the morning with the babies, had lunch with my mom and sis, and finished it off with a fabulous and fun dinner with my hubby and sis.  So grateful for all of life's blessings and for the health to enjoy them.  A few pics from birthday day:

My mom, sis Val, and me.

My mom and sis

 Birthday cake from the babies and nanny Haley

Babies and Nanny Haley

Spring is in the air...

In honor of my favorite time of year I've begun making lovely handmade flowers. Attaching them to anything and everything I can get my hands on; pins, headbands, necklaces, purses, etc. All this flower creating is getting me in the mood for gardening!

Past Life.....New Purpose.

My heart is full of elation.  I recently accomplished something that I have been longing to do for years; I worked with leather.  Successfully.  If you've ever worked with or sewn leather you know it's not easy.  It is probably the most difficult fabric I've ever worked with.  It slips and slides- that's if you can get it to go through your machine at all, and once you've sewn a seam that's it.  You cannot easily go back and redo seams.

This is probably the Therapy item I am most proud of.

As I cleaned out my closet last week I discovered leather jackets from years past.  Jackets I will never wear again, but that I could not seem to get rid of.  What better way to pay homage to fashion from your past than by repurposing it for your future?  Here are a few pics of how I've given a little life to my past...

This chic little clutch was a leather jacket in its previous life.

Former life: My leather jacket circa 1999.

As I've said before, use what you've got.  Repurpose.  Recycle.  Revamp.

Gypsy Cowgirl

A little glimpse into what my life has been about the last week.  I've been busy at it in the sewing studio!  Finally!  A burst of inspiration hit me one day while planning a trip to sante fe, and looking at western wear riding gear catalogs at the stables.  I was so excited I rushed home and went strait to work!  As a result, the ole' etsy shop is up and runnin' again.  So grateful for inspiration!